Container and method for transporting a syringe containing radioactive material

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for transporting syringes containing radioactive material. The apparatus includes a radiopharmaceutical pig having an inner chamber in which a sharps container can be secured. The sharps container has a housing and an attachable cap. The method includes assembling the radiopharmaceutical pig so that the chamber of the radiopharmaceutical pig contains the syringe in the sharps container housing. The radiopharmaceutical pig is disassembled, where upon the syringe is removed, discharged, and then replaced in the sharps container housing. The cap of the sharps container is affixed to the housing of the sharps container, thus enclosing the contaminated syringe therein. The radiopharmaceutical pig is assembled so that its chamber contains the sharps container and the syringe. The radiopharmaceutical pig is transported to a disposal area, where it is disassembled and the sharps container containing the syringe is placed in a particular disposal container.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a divisional of Ser. No. 09/695,723, filed Oct. 23, 2000, nowU.S. Pat. No. 6,425,174 which is a continuation of Ser. No. 08/807,294,filed Feb. 27, 1996, presently abandoned, which is a continuation ofSer. No. 08/620,382, fled Mar. 16, 1996, presently abandoned, which is acontinuation of Ser. No. 08/214,681, filed Mar. 16, 1994, now U.S. Pat.No. 5,519,931.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to shielded containers for thetransportation of radioactive sources and, more particularly, to thecombination of a radiopharmaceutical pig with a sharps container capableof holding a syringe containing a radioactive drug.

In the medical industry, radioactive drugs are used for variousapplications, including the internal imaging of various human organs fordiagnosis purposes. Over the years, the medical industry has developedmany different radioactive drugs that are designed to concentrate aroundthese human organs.

Generally, radioactive drugs are in a liquid form that is suitable forinjection into a patient. Because of the radioactive characteristics ofthese drugs, they must be handled according to regulations promulgatedby various departments of the United States government, including theDepartment of Transportation (DOT), the Nuclear Regulation Commission(NRC), and the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA).Accordingly, hospitals that make their own radioactive drugs must investin the equipment and the training necessary to meet the requirements ofsuch regulations.

Typically, a patient requires only a small dose of a specificradioactive drug. Therefore, depending on the number of patients, it isgenerally not economical for one hospital to maintain the staff andequipment to make the radioactive drugs required by that hospital'spatients. Furthermore, the radioactive agents in the drugs have varioushalf lives and lose their effectiveness after a predetermined time.Thus, if a hospital does not have the required demand, some of itsunused radioactive agents may decay and become unusable. To avoid theexpense of such in-house production of radioactive drugs, many hospitalsnow purchase each prescribed dose of a radioactive drug from an outsidepharmacy.

The pharmacies which provide radioactive drugs to hospitals utilize theprinciples of mass production to reduce their per-unit costs. Thepharmacies receive prescription orders and deliver the correspondingradioactive drugs to nearby hospitals. Each prescription is individuallyfilled, and each dose of radioactive drug is packaged in a syringeintended for a specific patient. The syringes containing the radioactivedrugs must be carefully handled and delivered inside containers offeringsome degree of radiation shielding. Furthermore, government regulationsrequire syringes to be disposed of in a container that shields othersfrom the risk of injury posed by their sharp hypodermic needles. Such acontainer, generally referred to as a “sharps” container, typically hasan inner cavity or chamber that can hold syringes. One type of sharpscontainer has a chamber sealed by a spring biased pivoting gate to keepsyringes safely inside.

One type of delivery container currently used for the delivery ofsyringes containing radioactive drugs is known as a radiopharmaceuticalpig. The radiopharmaceutical pig typically is a two-part assembly andhas an inner chamber suitable for carrying a syringe. The chamber islined with a radiation shielding material, typically elemental lead. Theexterior of the radiopharmaceutical pig is generally a plasticpolystyrene shell. The polystyrene shell on one part of theradiopharmaceutical pig has elongated ridges projecting radially fromthe periphery of its external surface. If the assembledradiopharmaceutical pig is laid on its side, these ridges prevent itfrom accidentally rolling in an uncontrolled manner.

The identity of the radioactive drug within the syringe must beidentified for proper use and disposal. To facilitate efficientdisposal, syringes containing residuals of radioactive drugs withsimilar half lives are placed in the same disposal containers. Toidentify the radioactive drug within the syringe, labels typically areplaced on the outside of the radiopharmaceutical pig and on the syringewithin.

A common method for delivering the radioactive syringe is well known andincludes the placement of the syringe with the required dose of aradioactive drug into the chamber of the radiopharmaceutical pig. Theradiopharmaceutical pig is then delivered to the hospital where it isdisassembled and the syringe is used according to other, well known,safety standards.

After the dose is injected into the patient, the syringe is referred toas “spent,” but generally contains a small amount of residualradioactive drug. In addition to the radioactive contamination, thehypodermic needle of the spent syringe is biologically contaminated fromcontact with the patient. In view of the threat from such contamination,the pharmacy may also offer services for the disposal of the spentsyringe. Accordingly, the spent syringe can be sent back to the pharmacyfor proper disposal.

If the pharmacy offers disposal services, the spent syringe may beplaced back into the radiopharmaceutical pig for a return trip to thepharmacy. Once the radiopharmaceutical pig arrives at the pharmacy, anemployee manually removes the syringe from the chamber of theradiopharmaceutical pig by manually opening the radiopharmaceutical pigand dumping the exposed, contaminated syringe into a suitable disposalcontainer.

While the previously discussed apparatus and method for delivering anddisposing of syringes containing radioactive drugs is generallyeffective, under certain conditions there may be drawbacks associatedwith the devices and methods designed according to the prior art. Onesuch drawback is the additional expense arising from contamination ofthe radiopharmaceutical pig. During the return trip to the pharmacy, theresidual radioactive drug and biological contaminants in the syringe mayleak and contaminate the inside chamber of the radiopharmaceutical pig.If such contamination occurs, government regulations require that theradiopharmaceutical pig must be emptied by non-manual means (i.e., byrobotic arms or their equivalent), and then disinfected with theappropriate chemicals. Such a process is expensive and, therefore,undesirable.

Another drawback is the danger of biological contamination posed by thesharp hypodermic needle of the spent syringe. As discussed above,methods and apparatus of the prior art allow the contaminated needle tobecome exposed during the pharmacy's disposal operations. However, undercurrent U.S. government regulations, a spent syringe needs to bedisposed of within a sharps container. Generally, if a spent syringe isnot within such a protective sharps container, further handling of thesyringe raises safety and regulatory concerns. Such safety concernsnecessitate additional safety procedures and handling equipment that canbe undesirably expensive. For example, a hospital may dispose of thesyringe in sharps containers or the hospital premises. However, such adisposal system necessitates the expense of monitoring and tracking thesyringes because of their radioactivity.

Yet another drawback is the lack of roll-resistance of the disassembledradiopharmaceutical pigs designed according to the prior art. Asdescribed previously, only one part of the radiopharmaceutical pig hasroll-resistant ridges. Accordingly, the radiopharmaceutical pig isroll-resistant only when its two parts are secured together. Because theremaining part itself has no ridges, when the radiopharmaceutical pig isdisassembled, the part without ridges may move in an uncontrolled mannercausing accidental contamination or injury.

Still another drawback is associated with the durability of thepolystyrene shell on the exterior of the radiopharmaceutical pig. Thepolystyrene shell is relatively brittle and may break or chip uponimpact with other objects. If the polystyrene shell breaks, the innerliner of elemental lead can become dislodged, which may lead to theescape of dangerous radiation from the chamber of theradiopharmaceutical pig. Furthermore, if the two parts of theradiopharmaceutical pig are secured together by a threaded portion onthe polystyrene shell, cracking of the shell may necessitate replacementof the entire radiopharmaceutical pig.

Accordingly, there exists a need for a method and apparatus fortransporting a syringe containing radioactive material that safelyencloses the spent syringe and reduces the possibility of contaminationof the radiopharmaceutical pig. Still another need exists for aradiopharmaceutical pig that has a durable shell and is roll-resistantwhen in an unassembled condition.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention resides in an improved method and apparatus fortransporting a syringe containing radioactive material that provides forthe safe enclosure of the spent syringe and reduces the possibility ofcontamination of the radiopharmaceutical pig. The present invention alsoprovides a radiopharmaceutical pig that has a durable shell and isroll-resistant when in an unassembled condition.

The present invention includes a method for transporting a syringecontaining radioactive material to a location for use and, thereafter,to a disposal area. The method begins with the insertion of a housinginto a lower portion of a radiopharmaceutical pig. The syringe is theninserted into the housing. Next, the radiopharmaceutical pig isassembled by securing an upper portion to the lower portion so that theradiopharmaceutical pig contains the syringe and the housing in an innerchamber. After the radiopharmaceutical pig is assembled, it istransported to the location for use. At the location, theradiopharmaceutical pig is disassembled by removing the upper portionfrom the lower portion. When the radiopharmaceutical pig isdisassembled, the inner chamber is accessible for removal of the syringefrom the housing.

After the syringe is removed from the housing, to allow for thedischarge of at least some of the radioactive material from the syringe,the syringe is then replaced in the housing, which preferably hasremained in the lower portion of the pig. A cap is attached to thehousing to form a sharps container that contains the syringe therein.After the cap is attached to the housing, the radiopharmaceutical pig isreassembled by securing its upper portion to its lower portion. When theradiopharmaceutical pig is reassembled, the cap and the housing containthe syringe.

The radiopharmaceutical pig is then transported from the location of useto the disposal area. At the disposal area, the radiopharmaceutical pigis disassembled by removing the upper portion from the lower portion toexpose the cap and the housing containing the syringe. The cap and thehousing, containing the syringe, are then removed from theradiopharmaceutical pig and disposed of. Because the syringe iscontained within the housing and the cap, it is not exposed to personsat the disposal area. Accordingly, such persons are advantageouslyprotected from a sharp, contaminated needle on the syringe. Furthermore,because the cap and the housing contain the contaminated syringe, theradiopharmaceutical pig is less likely to become contaminated. Theavoidance of such contamination provides a cost savings because anexpensive decontamination procedure is avoided.

In a more detailed feature of the invention, a label is affixed to thesyringe before the syringe is placed in the housing. The label containsinformation regarding the radioactive material within the syringe.

In another more detailed feature of the invention, the disposal of thecap and housing containing the syringe includes the reading of theinformation on the syringe label while the syringe is inside the cap andhousing. The information is used to determine a particular disposalcontainer for the syringe. The cap and housing, containing the syringe,are then placed into that particular disposal container. While in thedisposal area, the particular disposal container can be determinedwithout separating the cap from the housing. Thus, the employees areadvantageously protected from the sharp, contaminated needle on thesyringe.

In another more detailed feature of the invention, the uncontrolledrolling of the radiopharmaceutical pig is prevented by roll-resistantridges on both the upper and the lower portions of theradiopharmaceutical pig. The ridges extend radially from the externalcircumference of the upper portion and from the external circumferenceof the lower portion. Because the lower portion also has roll-resistantridges, that portion of the radiopharmaceutical pig is less likely toroll uncontrollably, thereby reducing the likelihood of injury or damagefrom an accident.

In a separate and independent feature of the invention, another methodwhich covers the steps which may be completed by an outside pharmacy.Generally, an outside pharmacy will not use the syringe or handle theradiopharmaceutical pig while it is at the location of use.

Accordingly, the method covers the same general steps as discussed abovebut does not include those steps which the pharmacy will not regularlyprovide, such as: the disassembly of the radiopharmaceutical pig; theremoval and use of the syringe; the replacement of the syringe into thehousing; the attachment of a cap onto the housing, thereby containingthe syringe therein; and the reassembly of the radiopharmaceutical pig.

In a separate and independent feature of the invention, a methodprovides for steps which may be completed by the healthcare staff. Themethod utilizes a radiopharmaceutical pig and a container having ahousing and a cap. The container is configured to fit within a chamberin the radiopharmaceutical pig. The method begins with the disassemblyof the radiopharmaceutical pig by the removal of an upper portion of theradiopharmaceutical pig from a lower portion of the radiopharmaceuticalpig. The syringe is exposed when the radiopharmaceutical pig isdisassembled. The exposed syringe is then removed from the housing anddischarged. The discharging of the syringe removes at least some of theradioactive material from the syringe. The syringe is then replaced inthe housing and a cap is attached to the housing so that the syringe isinside the container. Finally, the radiopharmaceutical pig is assembledby securing the upper portion to the lower portion so that theradiopharmaceutical pig contains the container with the syringe inside.

The present invention also provides for an improved transportationcontainer for a syringe containing radioactive material. The containerincludes a radiopharmaceutical pig having an internal chamber adapted tocontain a cap and a housing forming a sharps container. The cap has atleast one resilient snap that engages at least one ledge on the housingto safely contain the syringe within the sharps container. Thistransportation container allows the contaminated syringe to betransported to the disposal area, where it can be handled, therebysaving the hospital the in-house disposal costs associated with knownsharps containers.

In a more detailed feature of the invention, the transportationcontainer includes a radiopharmaceutical pig having an outer shell madeof relatively stronger ABS plastic. Another more detailed feature of theinvention, the housing is transparent, thereby advantageously enablingthe user to view a contaminated syringe without risk.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate,by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exploded radiopharmaceutical pig andsharps container, showing the relative placement of the sharps containerwithin the components of the radiopharmaceutical pig;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view showing the assembled radiopharmaceuticalpig;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional elevational view showing a syringe restingin the housing of the sharps container within the chamber of theradiopharmaceutical pig shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the sharps container shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the mating ends of the sharps container,taken about line 5 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the assembled sharps container, showingthe cap of the sharps container attached to the housing of the sharpscontainer, according to the first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional elevational view of the syringe within thesharps container shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a partial cross sectional view of the assembled sharpscontainer taken about line 8 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a top view of the sharps container housing showing in FIG. 5;

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the sharps container cap shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing the sharps containerwithin the partially assembled radiopharmaceutical pig of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional elevational view of the assembled sharpscontainer within the radiopharmaceutical pig according to the firstembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a partial cross sectional view of the assembled sharpscontainer according to the second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the sharps container cap shown in FIG. 13.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As shown in the exemplary drawings, the present invention comprises aradiopharmaceutical pig 10 and a sharps container 12 for a syringe 14holding a radioactive drug. The syringe holding the radioactive drugfits within the sharps container, which, in turn, fits within theradiopharmaceutical pig. The sharps container meets U.S. governmentregulations, such as 29 C.F.R. § 1910.1030, for protective containersthat house materials having biologically contaminated, sharp edges.

FIGS. 1 and 11 show the interrelationship between the components of theradiopharmaceutical pig 10 and the sharps container 12. The structuralcomponents of the radiopharmaceutical pig include an upper shield 16 anda lower shield 18 that nest within an upper outer shell 20 and a lowerouter shell 22, respectively. The sharps container has an upper cap 24and a lower housing 26 that nest within the upper shield and the lowershield, respectively.

The upper shell 20 of the radiopharmaceutical pig 10 has a generallytubular, cup-like shape. The upper shell has a closed end 28 and an openmating end 30 with internal threads (not shown in FIG. 1 or 11).Similarly, the lower shell 22 has a generally tubular, elongatedcup-like shape featuring a closed end 32 and an open mating end 34 withexternal threads 36. The mating end of the upper shell has a flange 38to provide for the internal threads that engage the external threadslocated on the mating end of the lower shell. Both shells have interiorsurfaces sized to accept their respective shields 16 and 18.

External anti-roll ridges 40 are circumferentially located adjacent tothe mating ends 30 and 34 of the upper 20 and the lower 22 shells. Ifthe lower shell is placed on its side, these ridges advantageously tendto prevent it from rolling, or otherwise moving, in an uncontrolledmanner. Due to the weight of the shields 16 and 18 within each shell,uncontrolled rolling of either shell may damage the pig itself or injurean attending worker. Further, if the lower shell is not secured to theupper shell, the syringe 14 may dislodge from within the lower shieldand fracture or poke attending workers. Therefore, unlike the prior artdiscussed above, the anti-roll ridges are also placed on the lower shellso as to prevent the rolling of the lower shell when it is not connectedto the upper shell. Accordingly, the risk of injury from a dislodgedsyringe or damage to the radiopharmaceutical pig is advantageouslyminimized.

The upper 20 and lower 22 shells are preferably constructed from an ABSplastic, such as ABS Sinkral B-54 acrylonitrile butadine styrene fromEnichem America, Inc., 1211 Avenue of the Americas, New York, N.Y.11436. ABS plastic material is more durable than the polyethyleneplastic utilized by the radiopharmaceutical pigs made according to theprior art. Accordingly, each shell is less likely to crack or fracture.Therefore, the preferred radiopharmaceutical pig 10 has a longer usefullife, thereby advantageously reducing expenses by minimizing the needfor replacement of broken radiopharmaceutical pigs. The upper and lowershells also may be constructed of any other material suitable for agiven application.

An “O” ring 42 fits between the upper shell 20 and the lower shell 22 toprovide an air and fluid tight seal. The “O” ring is preferably madefrom a nitrile rubber, such as Nitrile from DWA Industrial Products,Inc., 9780 Variel Avenue, Chatsworth, Calif. 91311. However, the “O”ring could be made from any other material suitable for providing aneffective seal.

The other components of the radiopharmaceutical pig 10 are the uppershield 16 and the lower shield 18. The upper shield has a generallytubular, cup-like shape featuring a closed end 44 and an open end 46with a circumferential flange 48. The lower shield has a generallytubular, elongated cup-like shape featuring a closed end 50 and an openmating end 52. Both shields have internal chambers or cavities sized toaccept the sharps container 12.

The external dimensions of the upper 16 and lower 18 shields are sizedso that the upper and lower shields nest within the upper 20 and lower22 shells, respectively. The circumferential flange 48 on the mating end46 of the upper shield abuts the mating end 52 of the lower shield whenthe radiopharmaceutical pig 10 is assembled. The mating end of the lowershield has preferably two opposed internal side cutouts 54 sized toaccept the notches 68 in the housing 26 of the sharps container 12 asdiscussed below. The upper and lower shields are preferably constructedof elemental lead, but may be constructed of any material that inhibitsthe passage of radiation. The upper and lower shields also can beconstructed from a thermoplastic polycarbonate condensation product ofbisphenol-A and phosgene, sold under the trademark Lexan by the GeneralElectric Company, Polymers Products Department, Pittsfield, Mass. 01201.In a suitable thickness, the Lexan material blocks certain types ofradiation to an acceptable extent as is known in the art. Furthermore,according to well known principles, the shields also can be constructedof depleted uranium, tungsten, Plexiglass® or other materials suitablefor the radiation associated with a given application.

The sharps container 12 has a hollow tubular, cup-shaped cap 24 and along, hollow tubular housing 26. The external dimensions of the cap andthe housing are sized so that the cap and the housing preferably nestwithin the upper 16 and lower 18 shields, respectively.

The cap has a closed end 56 and an open mating end 58 with preferablytwo resilient snaps 60. Each snap has an externally bevelled face 62.The cap of the sharps container 12 is preferably made from a red-coloredpolypropylene material, such as polypropylene PP Hival 2420 from AshlandChemical, Inc., P.O. Box 2219, Columbus, Ohio 43216. U.S. governmentregulations, e.g., 29 C.F.R. § 1910.1030, require that a sharpscontainer be labeled appropriately, and one means of satisfying suchregulations is by coloring the closure red, which signifies that thesharps container contains regulated medical waste. Further means ofsatisfying such regulations is by labeling the sharps container with theword “biohazard” or the well known international biohazard symbol.

The long, hollow tubular housing 26 is preferably made from atransparent polystyrene material, such as Styron® 666D clear polystyrenefrom Dow U.S.A., Dow Chemical, Midland, Mich. 48764. Because thematerial is transparent, the interior of the housing can be viewedwithout disassembly of the sharps container 12. The entire housing neednot be transparent; rather, the housing may be made from an opaquematerial having a small, transparent window that provides a view of theinterior. The housing also need not be constructed of a transparentmaterial if the contents of the sharps container can be ascertained byother means, such as by the appropriate labelling of the exterior of thesharps container. The housing and the cap 24 may also be constructedfrom other materials of suitable strength. It should be noted that thedrawings do not show the structure behind the transparent surfaces ofthe housing solely to avoid confusion from the additional lines thatwould be required.

The housing has a closed end 64 and an open mating end 66 with twoopposed notches 68 sized to engage the resilient snaps 60 on the cap 24.Each notch is positioned longitudinally above a rectangular side opening70 sized to accept the resilient snaps. The diametrical distance acrossthe opposed notches is greater than the diametric distance between thelower edges of the beveled faces on the snaps but less than thediametric distance across the upper edges of the beveled faces on thesnaps. Accordingly, the resilient snaps deflect radially inward as thecap passes through the notches leading to the rectangular side openingsformed in the housing. The diametrical distance between the externalsurfaces 72 of each notch is less than the diametric distance betweenthe cutouts 54 on the lower shield 18. Accordingly, the notches fitwithin the cutouts on the lower shield. Because the notches of thehousing fit within the cutouts of the lower shield, the housing will notrotate when it is nested in the lower shield.

FIGS. 2 and 3 depict the front and cross-sectional views of an assembledradiopharmaceutical pig 10 containing the syringe 14 resting within thehousing 26 of the sharps container 12. The upper shell 20 and the lowershell 22 are threadably engaged and sealed by the “O” ring 42. The uppershell preferably has a tapered side wall 74 that defines an inner cavity76 extending from its internal threads 78 to its closed end 28. The “O”ring is located longitudinally between the side wall of the upper shelland the mating end 34 of the lower shell. Thus, the “O” ringadvantageously prevents radioactive material from escaping the spacewithin the mated upper and lower shields. The lower shell has a taperedside wall 80 that defines an inner cavity 82 extending from its matingend 34 to its closed end 32.

The upper shield 20 also preferably has a tapered side wall 84 thatdefines an inner cavity 86 extending from its flange 48 to its closedend 44. The lower shield 22 has a generally cylindrical wall 88 on itsmating end 52. The cylindrical wall abuts a shoulder 90 that extendsradially inward to a smaller diameter, preferably tapered side wall 92.The tapered side wall defines an inner cavity 94 extending to the closedend 50 of the lower shield.

Both the upper 16 and lower 18 shields are preferably permanentlyaffixed to the upper 20 and lower 22 shells by a glue or an adhesive,such as APC 324E Two Part Epoxy Resin from Advanced Polymer Concepts,Inc., W1102 N11774 Maple Road, Germantown, Wis. 53022. However, otherwell known fastening methods such as welding or mechanical fastening maybe used.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the lower portion of theradiopharmaceutical pig 10 comprises the lower shell 22 permanentlyaffixed to the lower shield 18. Similarly, the upper portion of thepreferred radiopharmaceutical pig includes the upper shell 20permanently affixed to the upper shield 16. However, it should beunderstood that the scope of the invention encompasses aradiopharmaceutical pig having shields that are not fastened to theshells. Furthermore, in the claims, the term “lower portion of theradiopharmaceutical pig” is intended to include a lower shield alone orcombined with a lower shell. Similarly, the term “upper portion of theradiopharmaceutical pig” is intended to include an upper shield alone orcombined with an upper shell.

The housing 26 of the sharps container 12 nests within the cavity 94 ofthe lower shield 18. A shoulder 98 extends radially inward from themating end of the housing to a tapered side wall 100. The side walldefines an inner cavity 96 extending to the closed end 64 of thehousing.

The syringe 14 has a generally tubular body 102 with a flanged base 104,a hypodermic needle 106, a cap 108, and a plunger 110. The body andneedle of the syringe nest within the inner cavity 96 of the housing 26.The plunger fits within the inner cavity 86 of the upper shield 16. Theword “syringe” as used herein means any container housing materialhaving sharp edges that could become biologically contaminated, therebyrequiring disposal within a protective container mandated by governmentregulations. In this regard, it is to be understood that the presentinvention is not to be limited by the size, shape, or function of thesyringe itself.

FIGS. 4 and 5 depict exploded perspective views of the cap 24 and thehousing 26 of the sharps container 12. The mating end 58 of the cap hastwo partially cylindrical walls 112 between the two resilient snaps 60.The partially cylindrical walls and the snaps extend from a generallyhorizontal shoulder 114. The shoulder extends radially inward to atapered side wall 116 that defines a cavity 118 extending to the closedend 56 of the cap. The resilient snaps 60 are separated from thepartially cylindrical walls by cutouts 120 that preferably extend to theshoulder of the cap. The snaps have an inside diameter slightly largerthat the inside diameter of the partially cylindrical walls. The lengthof the cutouts varies with the characteristics of the material fromwhich the cap is constructed, but approximately ⅜″ is generallyacceptable for a cap constructed of the preferred polypropylenematerial.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show the assembled sharps container 12 with the syringe 14sealed inside. Note that the syringe does not have a cap over itshypodermic needle 106. However, the sharps container also may contain asyringe having a cap over its hypodermic needle. The inner cavity 118 ofthe cap 24 houses the extended plunger 110 of the syringe.

The shoulder 98 of the sharps container housing 26 is sized to supportthe flanged base 104 of the syringe body 102, thereby supporting thesyringe 14 so that its needle 106 and body are within the cavity 96project toward the closed end 64 of the housing. Because the flangedbase of the syringe rests on the shoulder of the housing, the syringe iseasily inserted with the needle pointing toward the closed end of thehousing. Therefore, the fit between the shoulder of the housing and theflanged base of the syringe facilitates placement of the syringe into aposition where the needle is immediately shielded within the housing. Ifthe syringe is placed into the housing with its needle pointing upward,the needle poses a threat to persons trying to affix the cap 24 to thehousing. Such persons are discouraged from such placement of the syringebecause the syringe does not easily rest on the shoulder of the housingwhen it is in such a reversed position. Furthermore, the sharpscontainer 12 cannot be closed with the syringe pointing upward becausethe inner cavity 118 of the cap preferably is not long enough toaccommodate the body 102 and the needle of the syringe. Accordingly, thesharps container is advantageously configured to encourage the placementof the syringe with its needle safely protected within the housing.

The cap 24 and the housing 26 of the sharps container 12 form a sealcapable of resisting leakage of the radioactive drug, blood, or othercontaminates from within the sharps container. As shown in FIGS. 8, 9,and 10, a cylindrical sealing wall 122 extends longitudinally from theshoulder 98 of the housing toward the open mating end 66 of the housing.The sealing wall abuts the shoulder 114 of the sharps container cap,thereby forming a leak resistant seal.

As discussed above, the resilient snaps 60 on the cap 24 are sized tofit within the rectangular openings 70 in the housing. Each rectangularopening has a generally horizontal upper ledge 124. Each snap has anupper ridge 126 sized to abut the ledge of the rectangular opening sothat the sharps container 12 cannot be disassembled by merely pullingthe cap apart from the housing 26. Of course, if enough force or othertampering is applied to the sharps container 12, the cap will separatefrom the housing.

An alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 depicts a sharpscontainer 128 having a different leak resistant seal. In thisembodiment, the inner surface 130 of the shoulder 114 of the cap 24 hasconcentric ridges 132 a and 132 b that are spaced apart to accept thesealing wall 122 of the housing 26. Such a configuration also provides aleak resistant seal.

Together, the radiopharmaceutical pig 10 and the sharps container 12 canbe used to transport and dispose of the syringe 14 without thecontamination dangers posed by known radiopharmaceutical pigs. When apatient needs a dose of a radioactive drug, a heathcare official, suchas a doctor or nurse, transmits a prescription to a pharmacy, where thedrugs are packaged in syringes 14 using well known medical practices. Alabel containing information regarding the drug is preferably affixed tothe body 102 of the syringe. The following information may be includedon the label: the patient's name, the production lot number, theexpiration date of the drug, the quantity of the drug, the name of theintended medical procedure, and possibly other relevant information,such as a relevant order number or the drug's radioactive half life. Alarger label with similar information is also preferably affixed to theradiopharmaceutical pig.

In this regard, the labels for the syringe 14 and theradiopharmaceutical pig 10 can contain any suitable information, such aswords, bar code, or color code. It should be understood that theinvention is not limited by the method of encoding and decoding theinformation contained on the labels, nor by the actual content of theinformation on the labels.

Once the radioactive drug is packaged within the syringe 14 at thepharmacy, the sharps container housing 26 is placed within the innercavity 94 of the lower shield, which is part of the lower portion of theradiopharmaceutical pig 10. The syringe is then placed into the innercavity 96 of the sharps container housing so that its capped needle 106projects toward the closed end 64 of the housing. As shown in FIG. 7,the plunger 110 may protrude from the housing. The cap 24 of the sharpscontainer 12 preferably is not attached to the housing at this time tomake the syringe easily accessible at the hospital. Accordingly, thehospital preferably has a pre-ordered supply of caps. In otherembodiments of the invention, the cap could be placed loosely above thehousing so that the syringe can be easily removed from theradiopharmaceutical pig by a hospital employee. Alternatively, if thecap is easily removable from the housing, the cap may be attached to thehousing at the pharmacy.

Next the upper portion of the radiopharmaceutical pig 10 is positionedabove the lower portion of the radiopharmaceutical pig so that themating ends 46 and 52 of the upper 16 and lower 18 shields are inopposed alignment. The upper portion of the radiopharmaceutical pig isthen lowered onto the lower portion of the radiopharmaceutical pig androtated until the threads 78 of the upper shell 20 tightly engage thethreads 36 of the lower shell 22. As shown in FIG. 3, the now assembledradiopharmaceutical pig contains the sharps container housing 26 and thesyringe 14 containing the radioactive drug.

Once the upper portion and the lower portion of the radiopharmaceuticalpig 10 have been joined, the radiopharmaceutical pig is placed in ashipping container (not shown) meeting government regulations for thetransportation of radioactive substances. Typically, this shippingcontainer has a bottom foam rubber pad with many circular holes, eachshaped to accept the lower shell of a radiopharmaceutical pig, and a toprubber pad with similar holes to accept the upper shells ofradiopharmaceutical pigs. Alternatively, the holes within the rubberpads can be shaped to hold a radiopharmaceutical pig laying on its side.Shipping containers for shipping radiopharmaceutical pigs are well knownand may have the general design of a metal briefcase-type container or ametal box commonly referred to as an “ammo can.”

The shipping container is preferably transported to the destination viamotor vehicle, aircraft, or hand delivery. When the syringe 14 is neededthe radiopharmaceutical pig 10 is remvoed from the shipping containerand placed on a laboratory table or the like. The upper portion of theradiopharmaceutical pig is then rotated and removed, thereby exposingthe syringe. Using well known safety procedures, the syringe is removedby, e.g., a doctor or nurse, who injects the patient, therebydischarging the radioactive drug from the syringe. After the injection,the syringe may be biologically contaminated and generally contains asmall amount of residual radioactive drug.

After the injection, the spent syringe 14 is reinserted into the innercavity 96 of the housing 26 of the sharps container 12, which preferablyis still resting within the lower portion of the radiopharmaceutical pig10. A sharps container cap 24 is then placed so that its mating end 58is in opposed alignment with the mating end 66 of the housing 26. Thesharps container cap is placed over the plunger 26 of the syringe andmoved towards mating end 66 of the housing until the resilient snaps 60nearly contact the mating end of the housing. The cap is then rotated,if necessary, so that the resilient snaps are aligned with the notches68 in the housing, at which point the cap is forced downward, therebycausing the beveled faces 106 of the resilient snaps to engage thenotches. As a result of the contact with the notches, the resilientsnaps deflect radially inward and pass downward toward the rectangularopenings 70. When the resilient snaps reach the openings, the resiliencyof the preferred polypropylene material causes the snaps to assume theiroriginal position and lock the cap to the housing. The upper ridge 126of each snap abuts the ledge 124 of its associated rectangular opening,thereby preventing the separation of the cap from the housing by theapplication of a longitudinal tensile force.

Once the spent syringe 14 is safely contained within the sharpscontainer 12, the radiopharmaceutical pig 10 is assembled by threadablyengaging the upper and lower portions so that the sharps container isenclosed inside the cavities 86 and 94 of the upper and lower shields 16and 18. The assembled radiopharmaceutical pig is placed in an “ammo can”type shipping container for transport to the disposal area, which may beat the pharmacy. The shipping container is transported to the disposalarea, preferably by a motor vehicle, while the radiopharmaceutical pigis disassembled by threadably removing the upper portion from the lowerportion. When the upper portion of the radiopharmaceutical pig has beenremoved, the cap 24 of the sharps container is exposed because itextends upward from the lower portion of the radiopharmaceutical pig.The sharps container is then removed, which allows the label on thesyringe 14 to be read through the transparent housing 26. Theinformation on the label enables the determination to be made of theproper disposal container for the syringe within the sharps container.The sharps container, with the spent syringe inside, is disposed of byplacing it in the particular disposal container for radioactive materialhaving the half-life of the radioactive residual.

A primary advantage of the apparatus and method of this invention is thereceipt of the spent syringe 14 within the sharps container 12 at thedisposal area, which satisfies U.S. government regulations for thehandling of biologically contaminated syringes. Upon opening theradiopharmaceutical pig 10, a person is advantageously protected fromthe threat of an unshielded needle because the syringe is containedwithin the sharps container.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is the prevention of thecontamination of the radiopharmaceutical pig 10. During the transport ofthe syringe 14 to the hospital, the housing of the sharps container 12advantageously prevents the inner cavity of the lower shield of theradiopharmaceutical pig from becoming contaminated. If the syringeleaks, the radioactive drug collects above the closed end 64 of thehousing 26, thereby preventing the contamination of the inner cavity ofthe lower shield 18. Furthermore, once the spent syringe is sealedwithin the sharps container, the inner cavities of the upper 16 andlower 18 shield are advantageously protected from contamination whilethe radiopharmaceutical pig is moved to the disposal area. Accordingly,the invention advantageously saves the expense of the cleaning ofcontaminated radiopharmaceutical pigs.

While a particular form of the invention has been illustrated anddescribed, it will be apparent that various modifications can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except asby the appended claims.

1. A method for safely handling a syringe having a hypodermic needle andcontaining radioactive material, the method utilizing aradiopharmaceutical pig having a lower portion and an upper portion,each portion being made from a radiation-resistant material, and apuncture resistant tubular housing having an inner cavity, which isdefined by a bottom closed end and a top open end and sized to hold thesyringe, the housing being generally transparent to radiation emitted bythe radioactive material and configured to fit within aradiation-resistant chamber of the radiopharmaceutical pig, the methodcomprising: disassembling the radiopharmaceutical pig by removing theupper portion of the radiopharmaceutical pig from the lower portion ofthe radiopharmaceutical pig; removing the syringe from the housing;discharging at least some of the radioactive material from the syringeresulting in a spent syringe; placing the spent syringe in the housingwith the needle pointing toward the bottom closed end of the housing;and reassembling the radiopharmaceutical pig by securing the upperportion to the lower portion so that the housing holding the spentsyringe is contained within the radiation-resistant chamber of theradiopharmaceutical pig for transporting to a disposal area.
 2. Themethod as defined in claim 1, further comprising placing a cap on thehousing after placing the spent syringe in the housing.
 3. The method asdefined in claim 1, further comprising snapping a cap to the housingafter placing the spent syringe in the housing.
 4. The method as definedin claim 1, further comprising removing the housing from the lowerportion of die radiopharmaceutical pig.
 5. The method as defined inclaim 1, further comprising placing the housing into the lower portionof the radiopharmaceutical pig.
 6. A method of transporting a spentsyringe having a hypodermic needle and containing radioactive materialfrom a location of use to a disposal area and, thereafter, safelydisposing of the spent syringe, the method utilizing aradiopharmaceutical pig having a lower portion and an upper portion,each portion being made from a radiation-resistant material, and asharps container including a puncture resistant tubular housing havingan inner cavity, which is sized to hold the spent syringe, and a capconfigured to fit on top of the housing, the sharps container beinggenerally transparent to radiation emitted by the radioactive materialand configured to fit within a radiation-resistant chamber of dieradiopharmaceutical pig, the method comprising: transporting theradiopharmaceutical pig containing the sharps container and the spentsyringe from the location of use to the disposal area; disassembling theradiopharmaceutical pig by removing the upper portion of theradiopharmaceutical pig from the lower portion of theradiopharmaceutical pig; removing the sharp container containing thespent syringe from the radiopharmaceutical pig: and disposing of thesharps container containing the spent syringe without completelyexposing the spent syringe.
 7. The method as defined in claim 6, whereinthe cap that is sealably attached to the housing so that the spentsyringe is contained within the sharps container.
 8. A method oftransporting a spent syringe having a hypodermic needle and containingradioactive material from a location of use to a disposal area and,thereafter, safely disposing of the spent syringe, the method utilizinga radiopharmaceutical pig having a lower portion and an upper portion,each portion being made from a radiation-resistant material, and apuncture resistant tubular housing having an inner cavity, which issized to hold the spent syringe, the housing being generally transparentto radiation emitted by the radioactive material and configured to fitwithin a radiation-resistant chamber of the radiopharmaceutical pig, themethod comprising: transporting the radiopharmaceutical pig containingthe housing and the spent syringe from the location of use to thedisposal area; disassembling the radiopharmaceutical pig by removing theupper portion of the radiopharmaceutical pig from the lower portion ofthe radiopharmaceutical pig; attaching a cap to the housing forming asharps container; and disposing of the sharps container containing thespent syringe without completely exposing the spent syringe.
 9. Themethod as defined in claim 8, further comprising removing the housingfrom the lower portion of the radiopharmaceutical pig before attaching acap to the housing.